The Leeds locals’ hometown show at Brudenell Social Club* was a long-awaited affair, and suitably warmed up by Sisterly and No Wukkas. Both supports were quite small, emerging outfits, but their avant-garde style — often harnessed with off-key drumming and deep bass rumbles — was surely why they were the rightfully chosen openers. What a frenzied yet funky vibe for a wintry Wednesday. 

As anticipated, the full-chat energy continued right into the main event: Fizzy Blood’s set. The five-piece sprang back to the Brudenell’s stage after what they, rather surprisingly, stated had been four years. 

They’d curated an hour’s worth of audible twists and turns, which dynamically showcased their ebb-and-flow blueprint that’s been developed and refined over their career. Fizzy Blood began with a soft serve of the newer bop, ‘Pearly Whites’, followed by ‘Complementary’ and then ‘Pink Magic’. That regular jolting between upcoming album material and older fan favourites was a fun, playful technique. From ‘Flavour of the Month’ to ‘Animal’, they knew just how to grip the room with highs and lows. 

In the main, the snazzy-shirt-clad quintet put on a frantic performance — especially in the latter half. Their honed niche was offset by the sharp showmanship yet totally unfazed, joyful nature of each band member. They could whack up the volume and really shred when they wanted to, and while not one, two, but three, guitars were often utilised, the additions of keys baptised their display with an electronic buoyancy, too. 

There were undoubtedly some die-hards in the audience, who were addressed between songs. But each one of us was asked to open ourselves up to the newer songs, whether they were considered slower than some of the bigger belters from before or not. And you know what? I can certainly confirm that the album just around the corner is sure to be sensational. 

*With thanks to Angie Owen for the press entry